Registration
Most rental units in Berkeley must be registered with the Berkeley Rent Board. This page outlines the different obligations for fully covered and partially covered units (including government-owned or -subsidized units), as well as how to contact the Registration Unit.
Announcements:
FY 2025-26 Registration Fees Were Due July 1, 2025. The Rent Ordinance imposes a 100% penalty on payments not received or postmarked by the due date. For more information, contact the Registration Unit (see contact information at the bottom of this page).
Government-Owned or -Subsidized Units Are Now Required to Register. In the November 2024 election, Berkeley voters passed Measure BB, which created new registration requirements for government-owned and -subsidized units that were previously exempt from registration. These units must now be registered as fully or partially covered. The Rent Board has adopted an amnesty period for payment of late registration fees for units newly required to register under Measure BB.
To register tenancies, pay annual fees, and update your unit information, go to the Rent Registry.
FULLY COVERED UNIT REGISTRATION
These units are covered by the rent control, good cause for eviction, and security deposit interest sections of the Rent Ordinance. After the initial rent is set for a new tenancy, rent increases are controlled by the Annual General Adjustment set by the Rent Board.
Types of fully covered rental units:
- Most units on multi-family properties built before June 1980
- Single-family homes with current tenancies that began before 1996
- Single-family homes with five or more rooms rented out individually with separate leases (each room is considered a unit)
Some government-owned or -subsidized units may have different coverage. Please see the Government-Owned or -Subsidized Units section.
The Fully Covered Unit Registration page discusses exemptions, fees, and additional information.
PARTIALLY COVERED UNIT REGISTRATION
These units are not subject to rent control, but are covered by the good cause for eviction and security deposit interest sections of the Rent Ordinance.
Types of partially covered units:
- New construction units (units with a certificate of occupancy issued after 1980)
- Most single-family homes
- Most condominiums
Some government-owned or -subsidized units may have different coverage. Please see the Government-Owned or -Subsidized Units section.
The Partially Covered Unit Registration page discusses exemptions, fees, and additional information.
GOVERNMENT-OWNED OR -SUBSIDIZED UNITS
Units with the following subsidies will be fully or partially covered by the Rent Ordinance depending on unit type (as described above in the Fully and Partially Covered Unit sections):
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
- Shelter Plus Care
- VASH Voucher
- LIHTC
- California Community Housing Agency
- HOME
- City of Berkeley Housing Trust Fund
- Mental Health Safety Act
Units with the following subsidies in projects that DO NOT HAVE mortgages insured or held by HUD will be fully or partially covered depending on the unit type (as described above in the Fully and Partially Covered Unit sections):
- Rent Supplement Program
- Section 8 Loan Management Set Aside
- Project-based Section 8
Units with the following subsidies will be partially covered by the Rent Ordinance regardless of unit type because Federal law, State law, or administrative regulation prohibits rent control:
- Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
- Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
Units with the following subsidies in projects with mortgages insured or held by HUD will be partially covered by the Rent Ordinance regardless of unit type because Federal law, State law, or administrative regulation prohibits rent control:
- Rent Supplement Program
- Section 8 Loan Management Set Aside
- Project-based Section 8
SORORITY & FRATERNITY SUMMER RENTAL REGISTRATION
Sororities and fraternities that rent rooms to non-members during the summer must pay a summer registration fee set by the Board each fiscal year. Sororities and fraternities that rent rooms to non-members beyond the summer term must pay the full annual registration fee. See the Fraternity & Sorority Summer Rental Registration page for more information.
HOW TO CONTACT THE REGISTRATION UNIT
Phone: (510) 981-7368 Ext. 2
Email: rentregistry@berkeleyca.gov
Make an appointment: Registration Unit Appointment Form
Address: 2000 Center Street, Suite 400, Berkeley, CA 94704
Need registration forms? See our Forms page.
